Religious institutions and nonprofit colleges in California could soon turn their parking lots and other properties into low-income housing to help combat the ongoing homeless crisis, lawmakers voted on Thursday.
The legislation would rezone land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, to allow for affordable housing. They would be able to bypass most local permitting and environmental review rules that can be costly and lengthy.
California is home to 171,000 homeless people — about 30% of all homeless people in the U.S. The crisis has sparked a movement among religious institutions, dubbed “yes in God’s backyard,” or “YIGBY,” in cities across the state, with a number of projects already in the works.
That was my initial thought. In general, churches are seeing loss of participation across the board NPR. It would really easy to funnel the homeless into church if they’re literally living feet away from the narthex.
And what happens to those who refuse to come and worship? Are they booted out?
There’s definitely a problem with homelessness, but I don’t want to see these people be coerced into anything.
Having been homeless myself, I have a hard time believing they can coerced of anything they don’t want to be.
Being homeless makes you shrewd, as a matter of survival. You’re average Joe doesn’t stand a chance.